A four-legged robotic carrying a humanoid robotic rider has turn into one of many standout sights on the 2026 World Robotic Convention in Beijing, providing a glimpse at how shortly Chinese language robotics corporations are transferring past typical industrial machines.
The Qiji X1, developed by DaxAI Robotics, combines 4 mechanical legs with a saddle and handlebars, permitting an individual to trip the machine like a robotic horse. The all-terrain robotic is reportedly able to carrying as much as 660 kilos, whereas its unconventional design drew crowds on the five-day convention.
The event comes as China expands its robotics business and competes to ascertain management in humanoid and autonomous machines, with greater than 2,000 robots from 16 nations additionally collaborating within the 2026 World Humanoid Robotic Video games.
A robotic horse you may really trip
The Qiji X1 is actually a big quadruped robotic redesigned to hold an individual. As an alternative of wheels or tracks, it strikes utilizing 4 articulated mechanical legs, giving it the looks of a robotic horse. A rider sits on a saddle and controls the machine utilizing handlebars mounted on the entrance. Demonstrations confirmed the robotic transferring ahead in deliberate, considerably unsteady steps because it navigated the exhibition ground.
DaxAI Robotics developed the machine as a proof of idea for a rideable four-legged robotic. The corporate emerged in Beijing round 2025 and was based by Wang Kun, who had beforehand labored on robotics and autonomous driving know-how. Wang’s co-founder and chief know-how officer, Xu Wenqiang, has a sophisticated background in AI.
Collectively, the staff has centered on combining robotics and autonomous techniques to create machines able to working in environments the place typical wheeled platforms could battle.
The Qiji X1 is especially notable as a result of it strikes past the more and more acquainted robotic dogs and industrial quadrupeds. By including a human rider, the corporate is testing whether or not legged robots might ultimately turn into a brand new sort of private or utility automobile.
Humanoids within the highlight
The robotic horse was one in all a number of machines showcased on the World Robotic Convention, which started in Beijing as China’s robotics business continues to develop. Humanoid robots had been one other main focus of the occasion, with Chinese language producers demonstrating machines able to strolling, dancing and performing different human-like actions.
The timing is critical for China’s robotics business, since on the opening day of the convention, Unitree Robotics, one of many world’s largest humanoid robotic producers, made its debut on the Shanghai Inventory Alternate. Unitree’s robots are additionally competing within the 2026 World Humanoid Robotic Video games, which started in Beijing on Saturday and have greater than 2,000 robots representing 16 nations.
The mixture of the convention, robotics competitors and rising funding in Chinese language producers highlights the nation’s ambition to construct a broad home robotics ecosystem.
The Qiji X1 additionally demonstrates that the competitors isn’t restricted to humanoid machines. Firms are exploring completely different robotic designs for transportation, industrial work and mobility, with quadruped techniques providing potential benefits on uneven terrain.
Whereas the robotic horse stays extra of a technological showcase than a sensible alternative for typical automobiles, its look at one in all China’s largest robotics occasions additionally illustrates the fast enlargement of the nation’s robotics business.
